Chapter 3 VERONICA MEETS LAWRENCE

VERONICA

"What?! Marry Lawrence Williams? That infamous playboy? Mom! Dad! You can't be serious right now!" I l flipped out when my parents told me I had to marry the infamous playboy son of a conglomerate family.

"Veronica, this is the only way...we must save our company. The company is going under, the company is in debts, we can't afford to pay the workers anymore and lots of accumulated loan to be paid..."

"Dad, is there no other way?"

It wasn't only that I was being arranged to some playboy in a marriage but heavens! I had a boyfriend I cherished a lot. How could mother and father do this to me.

"You think I didn't look all nook and cranny before coming to this decision?"

Dad's voice was strained and his eyes weary from lack of sleep. Mom was quiet just like that day. I knew they wouldn't have easily made the decision... I knew it was only fair I helped my parents to stop our company from going under...I knew all that but why did it have to be me...why...

"No, I can't marry him dad, I can't. I have a boyfriend and you know. I can't possibly leave him for that playboy."

"Then you would rather let the company go down, all your father and I worked for, and our whole lives messed up? All for a man?" Mother snapped.

"Mother, you don't understand! I love Vincent!"

"Love? What do you know about love?" Mother frowned in disgust. "Look darling, my parents arranged a marriage with me and your dad, and today we are among the best couple. Come on, Vero, this is for the best and he might not be as bad as the media paints him."

"Mother, why can't my sister do it? she is the elder here and if anything she is to be the one saving the company with some arranged marriage and not me."

"Your sister has to work in the company. Break up with that boyfriend of yours today. Your marriage will be fixed and that's final." Dad said and walked out.

"Dad!" I yelled as he left. Then I turned towards mother. "Mother, You and Dad can't do this to me! I have always done what you asked me to do. I studied business management for you and have done all you asked of me and now this? I can't...I can't..."

"I'm sorry my daughter but this is the best we could do to save the family's company."

Mom left me too, leaving me feeling like my whole life had crashed.

I had heard of his tales and there wasn't a month or two that passed without his name appearing in the news headlines for one scandal or another.

I shook my head. A rollercoaster of emotions held me; anger, frustration and confusion all mixed together.

I quickly took out my phone and keyed his name in the search engine.

His pictures and full biography appeared at once.

"Lawrence Williams, the heir and only son of his wealthy family...Williams group..." I read out loud as I skimmed through his info. His facial features caught my eyes. For a moment I stared. But a second later I jolted myself back and let out a loud hiss. He could have been handsome for all I cared but heck he was a playboy and a known troublemaker. And too, I had my boyfriend, Vincent.

I had to do something. I couldn't let myself be thrown off to a stranger in that way.

I paced in the room as I racked my head on how best to save my family's business without having to marry some stranger.

A knock sounded after some minutes.

"Enter."

"Ma'am you have a call..." the lady house keeper announced as she held out the telephone towards me.

I frowned a bit as I wasn't expecting any call.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Hello, am I onto Miss Veronica Nicholas?" An unfamiliar voice came on.

"Yes, and who are you?"

"This is Lawyer Steve and I am representing Mr Lawrence Williams. If you don't mind, Mr Lawrence Williams would love to have a brief meeting with you."

I scoffed, curious as to what the playboy possibly had to say to me. He must be reeling with happiness for ruining my life. I wondered if he suddenly got tired of whoring around with different ladies.

I agreed to the meeting. This could be the moment I was seeking for. A moment to end this arranged marriage from happening.

I quickly slipped into one of my fancy dresses, grabbed my handbag and drove out of the house.

I got to the location I was given; like I expected, it was one of the fancy hotels. Thankfully, I was used to this kind of life as I elegantly made my way to the receptionist.

"I'm here to see..." I was still speaking when a man suddenly appeared behind me.

"This way ma'am, please." I gave him the who-are-you look. He took out a card from his pocket and showed me.

"Please follow him. I am Lawyer Steve and we spoke. I believe you are here to see my client."

I followed the man and was led into one of the VIP's rooms.

"Please have a seat, Miss Veronica Nicholas."

"Veronica is fine."

He nodded and pointed me to a seat which I took gracefully.

All the while, a man I was only able to catch glimpses of his back just stood behind the opened blinds of the window.

After I seated, I faced Mr Steve.

"Why did you call me here?"

"I called you here..." the figure behind the window finally spoke. And then he turned to face us.

It was no one else but Lawrence Williams. He started towards me, the ray of the sunlight escaping the spot he had left struck my eyes preventing me from getting a better look at him. He lowered himself into the seat across me.

"Well, I know I excite a lot of women and I know a lot of women wish is to have me in their bed? What do you say? I let you have me for a night and you find a way to have your parents dissolve this...marriage or whatever..."

My fist tightened so hard. I had never been insulted in that manner all my life. What? A night with him? Who did he think he was? I stood to my feet and landed a staggering slap across his face.

"A night with you? I would rather wish to remain single all my life than be married to a playboy like you!" I gritted at him.

"Miss Veronica, you can't be violent towards my client, you can be sued for it," his puppet lawyer said.

"Ah, I see...he must be paying you a lot of money for you to be his puppet...then why don't you tell your client to watch his words or he will be getting more than just a slap."

The obnoxious jerk let out a chuckle as he held his cheek. "Mr Steve, it's fine. I can handle this much...I felt like I was being massaged on the cheek. Soft hands you got. She is a daughter from a wealthy family after all, but, make sure not to try this again, Miss Veronica," he said, the annoying smile in his crooked lips infuriating me the more.

"For the last time, why did you make me come here? To me, this marriage is nothing but a paper marriage. And for your information, Mr playboy, I have a boyfriend I cherish so much." I turned to stomp out of the place when he started to clap maniacally, his face gleaming with smiles.

"Mr Steve! Isn't this wonderful to hear?"

I frowned, what wonderful thing was making him act like a crazy person.

"Well, Miss Veronica, if you don't mind, please have a seat as it seems we are on the same path." The lawyer said.

I reluctantly sat down.

He took out a document from his bag and placed it before me on the table.

"My client here also has a woman he cherishes and would love to continue his relationship with her while he is in this arranged marriage with you, and of course he won't be stopping you from continuing your relationship with your boyfriend."

"What my lawyer here is trying to say simply is...I live my life as I always do and you can do same...this marriage is for our parents and the media of course." Lawrence added.

Even though the offer sounded like what I really prefer, but I imagined mother and father growling with shock if they heard of it.

"And if the media catches you?"

"I will make sure they don't and same with you...and we won't have to hide for long because in this document is also an agreement that says we divorce this marriage after five years. I'm sure your family business would have gone back to track... we divorce and go our separate ways. Isn't it wonderful?"

I picked up the document. A five years marriage contract. Why hadn't I thought of it.

"Considering our situation, I believe we both wanted this." Lawrence added as he causally poured himself a drink.

"I will have my lawyer look through it." I said and stood up.

"Fine, just have in mind that we don't have all the time in the world."

I shot him one last look before I started to walk out.

"But something baffles me," I stopped after walking a step. "When did the infamous playboy decide to stick to a woman? Or is it one of the ladies after your money? I mean, I doubt any lady out there would like anything about you. I wonder who she is this time around." I smirked.

I didn't wait to hear him speak as I walked out wondering which unlucky woman had fallen in love with someone like him.